Sandra watched Firestar lead Lionblaze, Jayfeather and Dovewing back into camp. "There's a battle coming," the ThunderClan leader growled.

Yu and Kenta charged up the Sandra. "A battle?" Kenta echoed.

"Who are we fighting?" Yu asked.

Tsubasa came up behind them. "Whoever it is, they're probably dangerous," he meowed grimly.

Firestar leaped up onto the Highledge and called the Clan together, but there was no need. The Clan was already flooding into the clearing, pelts pricking and eyes wide.

Birchfall, Mousewhisker and Blossomfall all lingered at the edge of the crowd, all looking nervous. Kyoya and Masemune soon joined them.

"Clanmates," Firestar began, "we face an enemy stronger than we have ever known! The danger comes from dead cats as well as living. The Dark Forest has sworn to destroy the Clans."

"How can dead cats harm us?" Mousefur croaked.

"The warriors of the Place of No Stars have found a way to cross into Clan territory," Firestar explained. Ferncloud gasped.

"That's impossible!" Cloudtail growled.

"Oh, StarClan!" Blossomfall whimpered.

"You've smelled the scents and seen the pawprints in the forest," Firestar continued.

"They're just rogues!" Dustpelt snarled.

"Have you forgotten the scent of Tigerstar?" Firestar questioned, meeting the tabby tom's gaze.

"I...I thought I just imagined it," Dustpelt stammered, staring at his leader.

"A battle is coming that we have to win, for the sake of every warrior that ever lived," Firestar went on. "We must fight alongside the other Clans, because this enemy threatens us all. ShadowClan, WindClan, and RiverClan will each send three warriors here at dusk to join our patrols. We will send three warriors to their camps." He glanced down at his deputy. "Brambleclaw, you choose who will go."

"Won't ShadowClan just take advantage of this to steal our territory?" Thornclaw yowled.

"If they do, all will be lost," Firestar muttered darkly.

"How will I protect my kits?" Brightheart wailed.

Cloudtail pressed against her. "I won't let anything harm them!"

"Nor will I!" Ferncloud added, lashing her tail.

"No one will hurt ThunderClan kits," Sorreltail declared.

Ivypool suddenly walked to the front and turned to face her Clan, taking a deep breath and steadying her trembleing paws. "I know how they fight. I can teach their moves to the Clan."

"How do you know?" Dustpelt hissed.

"I sent her to spy," Firestar meowed, leaping down beside Ivypool. "She knows more about our enemy than any cat. Learn from her."

"You were spying in the Dark Forest?" Mousewhisker gasped.

"You're so brave!" Cherrypaw exclaimed.

"We will win this battle because we are fighting for our lives and the lives of our Clanmates. Our enemies are already dead. They fight only out of hate and that will be their weakness," Firestar declared.

"We'll beat them!" Cloudtail yowled.

Molepaw reared up and raked the air with unsheathed claws. "I'll shred any Dark Forest warrior I lay my paws on!"

Firestar nodded. "Then let's start training. For victory!"

The Clan broke into clusters. Sandra and her friends gathered in a corner. The only two missing were Kyoya and Masemune, who laid down and fell asleep.

"What do we do?" Madoka asked.

"We wait for the fireworks to happen," Sandra growled.

"Where's Kyoya and Masemune?" Yu asked. "Shouldn't they be over here with us?"

Sandra's fur stood on end. "They're on their own now."

"W-What do you mean?" Kenta asked.

Sandra bowed her head sadly. "Those two have trained in the Dark Forest just as Ivypool has."

"What?! They couldn't have!" Madoka protested. "They wouldn't!"

"Don't you remember the scents we found in the forest?" Sandra asked. "Kyoya and Masemune's scents were with them."

"Then what do we do?" Tsubasa asked. "We can't just let them fight for the wrong side! They're our friends! Nothing changes that!"

"He's right. We have to find them!" Kenta agreed.

Sandra looked over where she saw them lay down to see them gone. "It's too late. They're gone. They have to help themselves now."

Everyone followed her gaze. "But how? They were just there sleeping a second ago!"

"They already dreamt their way into the Dark Forest. They won't come back until the battle," Sandra meowed darkly.

"When's the battle?" Tsubasa asked.

"Soon. Very soon," Sandra answered.

"We should all train together until the battle starts. We want to be prepared for anything," Gingka meowed.

Sandra nodded. "We'll partner up."

"Can we go and help Jayfeather?" Alex asked as she and Madoka stood up.

Sandra nodded. "Of course. You know a lot about treating wounds from when you helped Cinderpelt. He wouldn't waste those skills when there are going to be so many injured warriors." Alex and Madoka smiled and dashed toward the medicine den.

"I'll train with Kenta," Benkei offered. Kenta smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Yu can train with me," Tsubasa meowed.

"That means I'm with Sandra," Gingka mewed.

Sandra nodded. "Let's start right away. And remember that a Dark Forest warrior will always go for your throats. Always be ready to fend off a killing bite." Everyone nodded and split into the their groups. They trained for a long while. Sandra heard Cloudtail charge into camp telling about how he couldn't find Blossomfall, Birchfall or Mousewhisker. Sandra knew where they were. They're in the Dark Forest with Kyoya and Masemune.

Sandra shook her head. There was no time to worry about that now. They had to train! The Dark Forest wanted to kill every cat around the lake. They had to be prepared. We have to be!